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Posted By Camara Chambers, Director of Community Engagement,
March 21, 2016

Youth volunteer taking part in the Plastic Echo Action Fair during ChangeTheWorld 2015

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At Volunteer Toronto, we’re often asked...”As a high school student, how can I volunteer? What can I do?”

While volunteering can be intimidating for many high school students, it doesn’t have to be. There are a large number of non-profits who have youth volunteer opportunities and we want to make it easy for you to find them!

Each spring, we encourage high school students to volunteer for 3 hours or more as part of ChangeTheWorld, a six week challenge (April 10-May 23) to get Ontario high school students to volunteer locally and reward them for doing so. It’s an easy way to get a head start on your volunteer hours, or if you are already volunteering get recognized for your awesome work!

Not sure where to start? Here are some options!

1.Volunteer and fundraise for SickKids at the Dance Marathon

Every year, more than 100,000 children go to SickKids for life-saving care. You can help by taking part in our Dance Marathon on Saturday April 9th to raise money so SickKids can help even more children in the future.

You’ll just need to fundraise $30 or more, attend the Dance Marathon and dance! We’ll acknowledge your fundraising efforts with three volunteer hours and you’ll also be able to volunteer during the event by making thank you cards for the hardworking SickKids staff. Learn more and start fundraising today!

2.Plant fruit trees with TreeMobile

Join TreeMobile volunteers as they plant climate-appropriate fruit trees and plants in Toronto. You can help by sorting plants before the planting day, help deliver and plant the trees or help coordinating the pickup sites. Find out more!

3.Sell Daffodil Pins with friends for the Canadian Cancer Society

Every April, the Canadian Cancer Society asks volunteers across the country to help them with selling daffodils (a symbol of strength and courage) to raise money to help cancer patients and their families by funding life-saving cancer research. You can sign up for a shift in your area by yourself or with family and friends. Learn how to get involved!

And if you do take part, don’t forget to request your certificate for doing so. You can do so here!

Camara Chambers manages Volunteer Toronto's public engagement strategy and team. This includes working with community partners, leading large-scale events and overseeing various programs that aim to encourage Torontonians to volunteer. In 2014, the community engagement team helped connect 550,000 people to volunteer positions in Toronto!